Home Help: Ways to save in winter

Wednesday

Click inside for the weekly home help with items on cutting energy costs around the house, how to choose the right ladder, repelling deer and more. Or check out these links:

You can find plenty of extra cash throughout the house by making some simple energy-efficient home improvements.

"The average household spends approximately $2,200 every year on energy bills, but there are definite ways to save," says Bill Cunningham, an energy-efficiency expert for Lennox Industries. "In fact, homeowners who take the proper steps may be able to cut their annual energy bills by as much as half."

Cunningham lists 10 simple steps for energy consumption and estimates just how much it can add to your bottom line.

Climate control

* Install an ENERGY STAR-qualified programmable thermostat, and take the time to program it because most consumers don't. Average savings: $180 per year.

* Replace a furnace if it's more than 15 years old. A new furnace can save hundreds of dollars each year in heating costs, compared with older furnaces that are only 65 percent efficient. Average savings: $800 per year.

* Insulate the attic. Since only 20 percent of homes built before 1980 are adequately insulated, add extra insulation to prevent the home's heating and cooling system from working harder. The amount you may need to add will vary with climate, but you can save up to 10 percent on your energy bill by air-sealing the home and adding insulation with a higher R-value, which refers to the insulation's resistance to heat flow. Average savings: $220 per year.

Water heating

* Lower the temperature on your hot water heater from 145 degrees to 120 degrees –– the only place you'll notice the difference is on your utility bill. Average savings: $36 to $61 per year.

* Replace your existing showerhead with a new 2.5-gallon-per-minute (low-flow) version. The new water-efficient showerhead coupled with a shower of 10 minutes or less, will save 5 gallons of water over a typical bath as well as the electricity that's used to heat the water. Average savings: Up to $145 per year.

* To save hot water and the fuel that it takes to heat it each year, wash your clothes in cold water. Be sure to choose a laundry detergent that is formulated for use in cold temperatures. Average savings: Between $24 and $40 per year.

* Repair kitchen and bathroom faucet leaks. Hot water leaking at a rate of one drip per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water annually, as well as the electricity or natural gas that heats the water. Average savings: $35 per year.

Lighting

* Replace your five most frequently used incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use less energy and can last up to 10 times longer. Also, consider motion sensors for outdoor lighting and occupancy sensors indoors that automatically shut off lights when no one is in the room. Average savings: $65 per year.

Appliances:

* Clean the lint trap in your clothes dryer before every load of laundry, which will help increase the drying efficiency of the machine. Average savings: $34 per year.

* Unplug TVs and other digital devices when not in use, as "standby" energy consumption (particularly with plasma TVs) can add up and drive your energy bill higher. Average savings: $165 per year.

-- ARA

Decorating Tip: Open up small spaces

If you have a small living room or apartment, open it up by creating a warm ambiance. Try to use a lighter color palette, but use dramatic lighting if you have darker colors. Also, consider a few pieces of large, soft furniture to reduce clutter. Armless chairs and ottomans are perfect for small spaces, as well as furniture that doubles in function like storage benches.

--HomeDecorators.com

Home-Selling Tip: Warm up your open house

During an open house, it is crucial that your home is spotless, devoid of personal objects and completely organized. But you also don’t want to show a house that is cold and barren. Strategically place warm and pleasant elements around the house, such as fresh flowers, a colorful bowl of fruit, green plants or decorative candles, to set an inviting ambiance.

--EnergizedSeller.com

How To: Buy a ladder

Consider the style: step, combination or extension ladder.

Consider the size: Know how high you’ll need to reach. Your highest height will be when standing on the second step down from the top of the ladder.

Weight capacity: Know the duty rating, which is rated from extra heavy duty (up to 375 pounds) to medium duty

(up to 250 pounds) to light duty (up to 200 pounds). Take into account the weight of products you’ll be using while on the ladder.

You can reduce the chimney repairs by installing a chimney liner, which protects your home’s building materials from the elements. A chimney liner can stop rain and ice from falling into your chimney, accelerating wear and tear. It can also prevent smoke and creosote from entering your home.

--DoItYourself.com

Money-Saving Tip: Find hidden gems at thrift stores

Don’t overlook second-hand stores or thrift shops when it comes to shopping for your home. The Goodwill, Salvation Army and local consignment stores often have great home products at seriously discounted prices. Look for vases, bowls, picture frames, clocks, fabric and any other household items that are on your list.

--SavingAdvice.com

Backyard Buddies: Products that repel deer

Deer that linger around your backyard like to eat any food they can find, like your vegetable garden. You can repel deer with products that give an area a bad odor or a plant a bad taste, since deer don’t like things that taste or smell bad. If they get used to the smelly area, try alternating repellents, which tend to last about two weeks. You can also try home remedies like perfume soap or Tabasco sauce. Or simply install a fence.

--Scotts.com

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